driver bits

[Jon Blakemore]

I am getting progressively more frustrated with my 1" insert driver bits. My preference is to use square drive screws, but unfortunately when the material is supplied often it's just #2 phillips. It seems that I can't find a decent driver bit that will last more than a dozen or so screws. Using an impact driver just compounds the issue. Does anybody have any suggestions of a real quality bit?

Jon Blakemore

[Bill P]

Jon,

Like you, I prefer square drive but I don’t understand why you’re having so much trouble. I’ve had helpers that weren’t very good at driving screws because they didn’t know how to position themselves to get good pressure behind a Phillips. The problem went away when I handed them an impact driver.

Are the bits breaking or rounding?

Bill

[Jon Blakemore]

They have a tendency to round, especially when using a deck screw gun. When using an impact driver they will more likely break off.

Jon

[Bill P]

Jon,

I'm wondering if the screws you're using have a coating that's preventing the bit from engaging completely. Hot dipped galvanized are troublesome in this way, plus I find the coating to be slippery.¿Deck screw gun" is this an automatic gun that you operate standing up?

Bill

[Paul Peters]

Jon I was having the same problem with rounding and breaking bits.Gary Katz recomended trying APEX bits and I have not broken a bit in over three months. TRY EM YOU WILL LIKE EM Good luck

Paul

[SJP]

Jon:

I've been using diamond coated bits from Screwfix.com in England, I can't seem to find them here yet, and they won't ship. I have a relative mail me them in decent quantities. He was amazed that we didn't have them here (so am I)They are so much better then anything I've ever used and I've been using Apex for as long as I can remember!

Steve

[John Cusick]

Where do you guys get the Apex bits.
Anyone tried the bits from McFeely's, mailorder.

JohnC

[Jeff B]

Apex is a division of Cooper Tools. You can look up your local distributor at the link below.


Cooper Tools / Apex

[Paul P]

John I use Mcfeelys bits and screws and really like both. I have not tried any other higher quality screws and drivers so I can't compare them.

[Jon Blakemore]

Thanks for the advice on the Apex bits. I will try some out.

Jon